Richard Packham

MIRROR SITES and ARCHIVES: This site has occasionally become temporarily unavailable because of heavy traffic. Therefore, I have created a few mirror sites. If you bookmark this page, you may wish to bookmark the mirror sites as well: http://packham.n4m.org/ and http://home.teleport.com/~packham. Since I am the webmaster at these sites, they will always be the latest versions. This site is also archived at http://web.archive.org. I apologize for the inconvenience.

"Some Thoughts On Violence", by Doug Ward; although written shortly after the Columbine school shootings in Spring 1999, the topic is timeless - published here for the first time with permission of the author.

Some of the following materials on Mormonism are being translated into Spanish. Spanish versions are indexed here and marked below with *sp*. Click on the *sp* to see the Spanish version. Portuguese translations (all offsite) of some articles are also available, marked with *po*. Click on the *po* for Portuguese.

Collected Comments on my Mormonism materials: I receive a lot of comments, both favorable and unfavorable. These are comments that I have received during the year 2000.

Comments Received, Summer 2006 - E-mail comments on my Mormon materials, received in June and July, 2006 (typical in volume and tone of what I receive year-round)

An Introduction to Mormonism: To Those Who Are Investigating Mormonism: What the Missionaries Won't Tell You. This is an excellent summary of basic Mormon beliefs, with links to many websites showing the contradictions in Mormon history and doctrine. *sp*

For a German translation of this tract (offsite), click
here.
For a Finnish version (offsite), click here.
For a Portuguese version (offsite), click here.
For a Russian version (offsite), click here.
For an Italian version (offsite), click here.
For a Danish version (offsite), click here.
For a Spanish version, click here.
For a Chinese version (offsite), click here for traditional Chinese, or here for simplified Chinese
A Korean version is available here (offsite)

A Glossary of Mormonism Many non-Mormons have difficulty in reading about Mormonism because of the many unusual terms used by Mormons. Mormons also use familiar terms in unusual ways. This listing is intended to explain the special Mormon meanings of these terms. *po*

Books For Mormons FAQ: "What can I give my Mormon friends or relatives to read that will start them thinking? They refuse to read anything 'anti-Mormon'": A suggested list of books that Mormons might be willing to read: they are not forbidden "anti-Mormon" books.

Critiques of Other Religions "Why don't you criticize other religions besides Mormonism?" A response, with links to critiques of other "true" religions.

"How can we know when information is from Satan?" Devout Mormons often reject any criticism of Mormonism by saying that the criticism comes from Satan, who is trying to defeat God's work (Mormonism). Is that a valid argument? How can we tell when the source of information is Satan?

Mormon Prophets After Joseph Smith Unlike the presidents of the mainstream Mormon church since Joseph Smith, who rarely have visions or revelations, and do not translate ancient documents or produce new scripture, as Smith did, there have arisen many prophets from Mormonism who have claimed to perform those divine functions, just like Smith. A brief listing and description of some of these real prophets.

The Book of Mormon vs Mormonism Many people assume that by reading the Book of Mormon one can learn about the Mormon religion. But Mormon doctrine is not based on this book, which often ignores or even contradicts what Mormons believe today, as this overview shows.

Teachings of Brigham Young: The LDS church's official study manual on Brigham Young's teachings is a gross distortion of his life and his beliefs. This is a supplement to that official manual, with quotations from Brigham Young that the church did not include, for obvious reasons.

Mormon Lying: Lying by Mormon leaders and official Mormon publications has characterized this church from its beginnings. Some very clear and indisputable examples, comparing the Lie and the Truth (factual, not theological). *po**sp*

"or, in other words": A collection of Book of Mormon passages which show that it cannot be a translation of engravings on metal plates (a supplement to the above article)

The Mormon Church vs The New Testament Church Mormons claim that the Mormon church is a restoration of the church established by Jesus and his apostles, and cite their similarities as proof. However there are more differences than similarities.

Mormon Temples: Facts The Mormons Probably Don't Want You To Know. The text of a brochure prepared for distribution at the open house for the Medford (Oregon) temple, March 2000. This can be modified and printed for distribution at any temple open house. (A shorter introduction to temples than the previous article)

The Ex-Mormon's Skeptical Heritage: Those who leave Mormonism are in a great tradition: the tradition of the doubters and skeptics, who have given us our intellectual heritage. From a workshop at the annual Recovery From Mormonism convention, February 1999

Gordon B. Hinckley as a Prophet: Mormons believe that the late president of the LDS church was a prophet, just like Joseph Smith. Hinckley seems to disagree with Smith.

Welcome To The Celestial Kingdom! Mormons believe that in heaven they will become gods and create their own worlds; this is (perhaps) the welcoming message they will receive when they get there (gently satiric).

Mormon Thinking: An Example of How Mormons Justify their Faith, by Linda Heinsohn

Correspondence With a Mormon Bishop:
A Mormon bishop who found my website takes the opportunity to bait me 'to show [my] true colors.' He dares me to post our correspondence. Of course, I do, with my comments. An interesting example of how Mormons react when their religion is challenged.

A Mormon Warning: A Story from Early Utah - an authentic piece of oral history, published here for the first time.

A Letter to a Mormon Bishop: A dear friend of mine who is a Mormon bishop (pastor) asks me for advice on how he can prevent apostasy among his members. And I, the apostate, try to help him!

"Mormon Women, Prozac, and Therapy" by Kent Ponder, Ph.D. A report based on several years' research and numerous interviews with Mormon women, social workers and doctors. Dr. Ponder, a life-long Mormon, vividly shows the emotional damage which Mormonism can inflict on women, and why.

Visiting The Sacred Sites of Mormonism: My visit to Carthage, Nauvoo, Independence and Salt Lake City; including a report about the Ex-Mormon General Conference held in Salt Lake City in October 2001, as well as a message from God.

"Lehi In The Pacific: Powerful New Evidence for the Historicity of the Book of Mormon" by L. Dwayne Samuelson, with my commentary

Questions for Presidential aspirant Mitt Romney Romney is trying to convince Christians that his religious beliefs are like theirs, and thus he should have their support. Those people do not know what they should be asking the Mr. Romney - here are some suggestions, not only for Christians, but for journalists.

"Recovery from Mormonism": (off-site) Eric Kettunen's excellent site for Mormons who are beginning to wonder what they are doing in this church, and for former Mormons who are trying to adjust to using their own minds and controlling their own lives.

For a similar site in German, click
here.
For a Finnish language site, click
here
For a Japanese language site, click
here
For a Korean language site, click
here.

The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen. Skousen claims that the basic principles of good government (and the American system) are derived from God and the Bible. I show how he fails to make his case.

People in Space: by John Heinerman. A Mormon scientist looks at the solar system, with supporting quotations from Mormon prophets and scriptures.

Science Speaks by Peter Stoner. Stoner makes much of estimates of probabilities to support the miracles of the Bible. Applying the same technique, I show that the chances that the Bible is true are almost zero.

Creationist Videos: My notes on three videos lent to me by a Christian friend to convince me that "creationism," the "young earth" view, and a literal belief in the biblical Flood are all scientifically valid.